A police officer charged with assaulting a man at the Toronto G20 summit protests three years ago says he did not attack, but rather helped the victim.

Const. Glenn Weddell testified Tuesday he had virtually no memory of his interactions with Dorian Barton, whom he’s accused of beating near Queen’s Park on June 26, 2010, because they were insignificant.

Weddell testified that, from viewing videos and photos of the event and his sketchy memory, it appears his only contact with Barton was helping him up from the pavement where he lay and directing him northbound.

“I’m picking him up by his shirt and getting him out of the area,” Weddell told his lawyer, Peter Brauti, as he reviewed the images.

“I’m asking him to leave or he’ll be arrested.”

Barton appears to stumble and fall down on some grass as he’s being moved, he said.

Weddell, 49, has pleaded not guilty in Ontario Superior Court to assault with a weapon and assault causing bodily harm in the first criminal trial of any officer charged in the controversial policing of the 2010 Toronto G20 summit.

The married father of one boy testified he was part of a large group of officers in riot gear at Queen’s Park who gave demonstrators several warnings to disperse or risk arrest.

He denied hitting Barton with a riot shield or baton, as alleged.

Earlier that day, Weddell said he had seen masked rioters dressed in black pelting police with rocks and bottles and smashing store windows at King and John Sts.

Prosecutor Philip Perlmutter suggested Weddell was angry after a long day of provocations and lashed out. “You just lost control,” he said.

“I wasn’t upset,” replied Weddell, stressing his professionalism. “At no time did I use any force against Dorian Barton.”

Referring to a photo, Perlmutter suggested it shows Weddell using his shield “in an assaultive manner.”

Weddell said he used his shield initially to protect himself as he approached Barton in case he was violent. The shield may have contacted Barton, but only lightly, he told Perlmutter.

Perlmutter suggested a video shows Weddell brandishing his baton aggressively and, with another officer, hurling Barton to the grass.

“No,” Weddell replied.

Barton
testified Monday
he was given no warning before he was beaten and arrested by police while taking photographs of mounted officers. But he also testified he did not see who hit him, apparently with a shield, or who then repeatedly struck him.

His shoulder was fractured and he sustained numerous cuts and bruises. The 32-year-old usher and part-time editor said he heard no warning to disperse.

Both sides will make final arguments to Justice M. Gregory Ellies on Wednesday.

Correction - May 29, 2013:
This article was edited from a previous version.